One thing Saint Claude went on and on about was not wasting time. He insisted ever second was precious and not to thrown away as it is a gift from God. This would lead me to believe that Claude was was very, very strict disciplinarian with himself. I would guess one way or the other all the saints were strict with themselves but some of them like St Claude really stand out for this. This is one thing about Sunday as a day of rest, it kinda points out to be how tied down I am with schedule on week days. The rest on Sunday is not really wasted, it is just given to God in another way. I guess it is a question of balance. Sundays remind me of a return to the Garden of Eden.
St Claude de Columbiere is a favorite of mine since reading a biography of Ste Margaret Mary Alaqoque many years ago.
SAINT OF THE DAY MONDAY, 16 FEBRUARY, 2026 SAINT JULIANA OF NICOMEDIA VIRGIN AND MARTYR (285 AD - 305 AD) Juliana was born in Cumae, Italy, around 285 A. D., the daughter of a pagan official named Africanus. Betrothed at a young age to a nobleman named Evilase, Juliana refused to marry until he first became the prefect of Nicomedia. While he was working to meet this demand which he eventually did Juliana converted to Christianity, and made a vow of chastity. She then insisted that Evilase convert as well prior to marriage. Of course, as a Roman prefect, this was not something he was able to do and maintain his position and status. Juliana's father, who himself despised Christians, beat and abused her in attempts to change her mind, but she would not relent, holding firm to her faith in Christ. Evilase, now well established as prefect, called Juliana before the tribunal, and denounced her as a Christian. As this was during the persecution of Christians under the order of Emperor Maximianus, there was little choice than to have her executed unless she would recant her faith. Of course, Juliana refused, finding her refuge in the Lord, and was subjected to horrible torture. During this torture, the Devil, disguised as an angel from Heaven, appeared to her and suggested she give in to the torturer's request. Juliana was not to be fooled by the snares of the Devil, and prayed to the Lord for guidance. In return, she received a message from God. “Do thou seize this vile one and hold him fast, till that he rightly declare unto thee his purpose, even from the beginning what his kinship may be.” And the heart of the glorious maid became glad. Juliana captured the Devil, holding fast to him, and forced him to recount his sinfulness. As he recounted a very long list of deceit and trickery, Juliana was dragged before the tribunal. She dragged the Devil with her—he, all the while, pleading for freedom. Juliana let the Devil go, and he embarrassedly returned to Hell. Juliana, for her part, bravely met her executioner. As per her Acts, she was first partially burnt in flames, then plunged into a pot of boiling oil, and finally beheaded in 305 A.D. PATRON: of bodily ills, sick people and sickness. PRAYER: Lord God, You gave St. Juliana the crown of eternal joy because she gave her life rather than renounce the virginity she had promised in witness to Christ. Encouraged by her generosity, help us to rise out of the bondage of our earthly desires and attain to the glory of your kingdom. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. One God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Isn't it wonderful that we still recall the names of these young saints even after thousands of years. They shine in the sky of our hearts forever like Eternal Stars. Yet who remembers the name of those who killed them?
February 16 – St. Onesimus Born: c. first century Died: 90 Nationality: Phrygian (modern day Turkey) Vocation: bishop Attributes: scroll Canonization: pre-congregation St. Onesimus was the subject of Paul’s Letter to Philemon, his master, in the New Testament. Onesimus encountered Paul in a Roman prison after fleeing Philemon and was baptized by the Apostle. As Paul entreated, Philemon forgave Onesimus and gave him freedom to assist Paul in his mission. Colossians 4:7-9 mentions Onesimus as one of those who delivered the letter to the Colossians. St. Jerome and other Church Fathers testify that Onesimus was a gifted preacher of the gospel and eventually succeeded St. Timothy as bishop of Ephesus. After preaching on the merit of celibacy, Onesimus was arrested and tortured for 18 days by order of a Roman governor. He won the crown of martyrdom after he was stoned to death. St. Onesimus, pray for us.
FEASTS OF THE DAY TUESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY, 2026 1) HOLY FACE OF JESUS 2) SEVEN FOUNDERS OF THE ORDERS OF SERVITES 1) HOLY FACE OF JESUS "THIS SALUTARY REPARATION TO THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS IS A DIVINE WORK, DESTINED TO SAVE MODERN SOCIETY." (PIUS IX) On April 17th, 1958, His Holiness Pope Pius XII approved the observance of a Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus on Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday). SISTER MARIE OF ST. PETER AND THE GOLDEN ARROW In Tours, France during the 1840's a young Carmelite nun, Sister Marie of St. Peter, received a series of revelations from Our Lord about a powerful devotion He wished to be established worldwide - the devotion to his Holy Face. The express purpose of this devotion was to make reparation for the blasphemies and outrages of 'Revolutionary men' (the Communists), as well as for the blasphemies of atheists and freethinkers and others, plus, for blasphemy and the profanation of Sundays by Christians. This devotion is also an instrument given to the individual devotee as a seemingly unfailing method of appealing to God in prayer - through adoration of His Holy Face and Name. The following prayer was dictated by our Lord Himself to Sister Marie of St. Peter. Opening His Heart to her, our Saviour complained of blasphemy, saying that this frightful sin wounds His divine Heart more grievously than all other sins, for it was like a "poisoned arrow". After that, our Saviour dictated the following prayer, which he called "The Golden Arrow", saying that those who would recite this prayer would pierce Him delightfully, and also heal those other wounds inflicted on Him by the malice of sinners. This prayer is regarded as the very basis of the Work of Reparation. PRAYER OF REPARATION IN PRAISE OF THE HOLY NAME OF GOD ENTITLED "THE GOLDEN ARROW" May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen. SISTER PIERINA AND DEVOTION TO THE HOLY FACE The Blessed Maria Pierina de Micheli, a holy nun who died in 1945, was urged in many visions by the Blessed Mother and Jesus Himself to spread the devotion to the Holy Face, in reparation for the many insults Jesus suffered in His Passion, such as to be slapped, spit upon and kissed by Judas, as well as now being dishonoured in many ways in the Blessed Sacrament by neglect, sacrileges and profanations. She was given a medal, which on one side bore a replica of the Holy Shroud and the inscription: “Illumina, Domine, vultum tuum super nos”. - Ps. 4:6 “May, O Lord, the light of Thy countenance shine upon us”. On the reverse side was a radiant Host, with the words, “Mane nobiscum, Domine”. – “Stay with us, O Lord” Luke 24:29. After great difficulties, Sister Pierina obtained permission to the have the medal cast. Even the expenses for the casting were miraculously met when she found on her desk an envelope with the exact amount of the bill – 11,2000 lire. The evil spirit showed his chagrin and rage at the medals by flinging them down and burning the pictures of the Sacred Face, and beating Sister Pierina savagely. In 1940, when the Second World War had the world in turmoil, Italy saw a wide distribution of this medal. Relatives and friends saw that their soldiers, sailors and aviators were provided with the replica of the Holy Face of Jesus since the medal was already famous for its miracles and countless spiritual and temporal favours.IN THE WORDS OF OUR LORD TO SISTER PIERINA “By My Holy Face you will obtain the conversion of numberless sinners. Nothing that you ask in making this offering will be refused to you. According to the care you take in making reparation To My Face, disfigured by blasphemers, I will take care of yours, which has been disfigured by sin. I will reprint on it My Image, and render it as beautiful as it was on leaving the Baptismal Font. I promise personal and spiritual protection to all who venerate this medal.” Sister Pierina was beatified on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome - the first beatification ever held within its walls. Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, celebrated the ceremony, in representation of Pope Benedict XVI. Our Lord promised St. Gertrude: “All those who meditate frequently on the vision of My Divine Face, attracted by the desires of love, shall receive within them, through My Humanity, a bright ray of My Divinity, which shall enlighten their inmost souls so that they shall reflect the light of My countenance in a special manner throughout eternity.” PRAYER OF MOTHER MARIA PIERINA O Blessed Face of my kind Savior, by the tender love and piercing sorrow of Our Lady as she beheld you in your cruel Passion, grant us to share in this intense sorrow and love so as to fulfill the holy will of God to the utmost of our ability. Amen. PROMISES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (Revelations to Sr. Mary of St. Peter) 1. By offering My Face to My Eternal Father, nothing will be refused, and the conversion of many sinners will be obtained. 2. By My Holy Face, they will work wonders, appease the anger of God and draw down mercy on sinners. 3. All those who honor My Face in a spirit of reparation will by so doing perform the office of the pious Veronica. 4. According to the care they take in making reparation to My Face disfigured by blasphemers, so will I take care of their souls which have been disfigured by sin. My Face is the Seal of the Divinity, which has the virtue of reproducing in souls the image of God. 5. Those who by words, prayers or writings defend My cause in the Work of Reparation, especially My priests, I will defend before My Father, and will give them My Kingdom. 6. As in a kingdom they can procure all that is desired with a coin stamped with the King's effigy, so in the Kingdom of Heaven they will obtain all they desire with the precious coin of My Holy Face. 7. Those who on earth contemplate the wounds of My Face shall in Heaven behold it radiant with glory. 8. They will receive in their souls a bright and constant irradiation of My Divinity, that by their likeness to My Face they shall shine with particular splendor in Heaven. 9. I will defend them, I will preserve them and I assure them of Final Perseverance. 2) SEVEN FOUNDERS OF THE ORDERS OF SERVITES RELIGIOUS (1198 - 17 February 1310) These seven men were the founders of the Servite Order, a community instituted for the special purpose of cultivating the spirit of penance and contemplating the passion of Christ and Mary's Seven Sorrows. Due to the spirit of humility cherished by the members of the Order, their accomplishments are not too widely known. But in the field of home missions great things are to their credit, and certainly they have benefited millions by arousing devotion to the Mother of Sorrows.The Breviary tells us that in the midst of the party strife during the thirteenth century, God called seven men from the nobility of Florence. In the year 1233 they met and prayed together most fervently. The Blessed Mother appeared to each of them individually and urged them to begin a more perfect life. Disregarding birth and wealth, in sackcloth under shabby and well-worn clothing they withdrew to a small building in the country. It was September 8, selected so that they might begin to live a more holy life on the very day when the Mother of God began to live her holy life. Soon after, when the seven were begging alms from door to door in the streets of Florence, they suddenly heard children's voices calling to them, "Servants of holy Mary." Among these children was St. Philip Benizi, then just five months old. On the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1240 the Founders received a vision of Our Lady. She held in her hand the black habit, and a nearby angel bore a scroll reading Servants of Mary. Mary told them, "You will found a new order, and you will be my witnesses throughout the world. This is your name: Servants of Mary. This is your rule: that of Saint Augustine. And here is your distinctive sign: the black scapular, in memory of my sufferings." Hereafter they were known by this name, first heard from the lips of children. In the course of time they retired into solitude on Monte Senario and gave themselves wholly to contemplation and penance. Leo XIII canonized the Holy Founders and introduced today's feast in 1888. PATRON: Invoked to aid in the imitation of the charity and patience of Our Lady of Sorrows. PRAYER: Impart to us, O Lord, in kindness the filial devotion with which the holy brothers venerated so devoutly the Mother of God and led your people to yourself. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
St Therese of Liseaux of course famously promoted the Devotion to the Holy Face. But there was an English lady and school teacher who promoted devotion too and was clearly a saint too although much less known. I recall reading a book about her. She was directly attacked by the devil and had the stigmata and was granted the grace of the Highest Stage of prayer , Spiritual Marriage for over 40 years. Teresa Helena Higginson (1844–1905): An English schoolteacher and mystic, she was known for her intense devotion to the Sacred Heart and, specifically, the Adorable Face of Jesus. She promoted the idea of reparation and the "marriage" of the soul to the Crucified, focusing on the wounded face of Christ.
One really beautiful thing we are able to do recently is to look at images of the Holy Face taken from the Shroud of Turin , some of them are really breath taking. The only problem is I think no one can ever catch the eyes...and the eyes are everything.
I'm sure His eyes are so beautiful and His smile. I can't imagine because I'm sure they cannot be described. Can't wait to meet Him.!!
ASH WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY, 2026 DAY OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, "Repent and believe in the Gospel." Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God. Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance. Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's palm Sunday Mass. It is important to remember that Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting. Some faithful take the rest of the day off work and remain home. It is generally inappropriate to dine out, to shop, or to go about in public after receiving the ashes. Feasting is highly inappropriate. Small children, the elderly and sick are exempt from this observance. It is not required that a person wear the ashes for the rest of the day, and they may be washed off after Mass. However, many people keep the ashes as a reminder until the evening. Recently, movements have developed that involve pastors distributing ashes to passersby in public places. This isn't considered taboo, but Catholics should know this practice is distinctly Protestant. Catholics should still receive ashes within the context of Mass. In some cases, ashes may be delivered by a priest or a family member to those who are sick or shut-in. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. WHY WE RECEIVE THE ASHES Following the example of the Ninevites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession. THE ASHES The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.
It is such a pity for our poor Protestant Sisters and brothers that they are missing all this. A rich liturgical life makes the Spiritual come alive. Strange in a human sense that things like Fasting and Penance are such a huge source of joy. A new spiritual spring.
SAINT OF THE DAY THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY, 2026 SAINT BARBATUS OF BENEVENTO CONFESSOR AND BISHOP (c. 610 – February 19, 682 A.D.) St. Barbatus was born in the territory of Benevento in Italy, toward the end of the pontificate of St. Gregory the Great, in the beginning of the seventh century. His parents gave him a Christian education, and Barbatus in his youth laid the foundation of that eminent sanctity which recommends him to our veneration. The innocence, simplicity, and purity of his manners, and his extraordinary progress in all virtues, qualified him for the service of the altar, to which he was assumed by taking Holy Orders as soon as the canons of the Church would allow it. He was immediately employed by his bishop in preaching, for which he had an extraordinary talent, and, after some time, made curate of St. Basil's in Morcona, a town near Benevento. His parishioners were steeled in their irregularities, and they treated him as a disturber of their peace, and persecuted him with the utmost violence. Finding their malice conquered by his patience and humility, and his character shining still more bright, they had recourse to slanders, in which their virulence and success were such that he was obliged to withdraw his charitable endeavors among them. Barbatus returned to Benevento, where he was received with joy. When St. Barbatus entered upon his ministry in that city, the Christians themselves retained many idolatrous superstitions, which even their duke, Prince Romuald, authorized by his example, though son of Grimoald, King of the Lombards, who had edified all Italy by his conversion. They expressed a religious veneration for a golden viper, and prostrated themselves before it; they also paid superstitious honor to a tree, on which they hung the skin of a wild beast; and those ceremonies were closed by public games, in which the skin served for a mark at which bowmen shot arrows over their shoulders. St. Barbatus preached zealously against these abuses, and at length he roused the attention of the people by foretelling the distress of their city, and the calamities which it was to suffer from the army of the Emperor Constans, who, landing soon after in Italy, laid siege to Benevento. The people, in their fear, renounced the practices Barbatus had criticized. He then cut down the tree the locals had worshipped, and melted the viper into a chalice for use in the church. After the public tranquillity was restored St. Barbatus was consecrated bishop on the 10th of March, 663. He pursued and completed the good work which he had so happily begun, and destroyed every trace of superstition in the whole state. In the year 680 he assisted in a council held by Pope Agatho at Rome, and the year following in the Sixth General Council held at Constantinople against the Monothelites. He did not long survive this great assembly, for he died on the 29th of February, 682, being about seventy years old, almost nineteen of which he had spent in the episcopal chair. The Roman Martyrology lists Barbatus as one of the chief patrons of the city of Benevento. The relics of St. Barbato Montevergine rest partly in the Cathedral of Benevento. PATRON: Benevento, Italy. REFLECTION: “Do not conform to the mentality of this age…”, St. Paul said. Yes, we must not abide today's mentality because it will not bring us closer to Christ otherwise it causes us to be worldly and hedonistic. We may be like St. Barbatus who fight against these errors of hedonistic lifestyle and comfortable living. We are Christians, our life must be a life of suffering and pain because we know our comfort lies above in heaven. PRAYER: Almighty ever-living God, who chose blessed Barbatus to preside as Bishop over your holy people, we pray that, by his merits, you may bestow on us the grace of your loving kindness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Saints so often seem to wind up in dark places and getting in trouble because of it. It is as of the very ground itself rose up to attack them. But good always overcomes evil in the long run. The good guys always win. But is is great to see a good guy winning as quickly and clearly as this saint.
SAINTS OF THE DAY FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY, 2026 SAINT FRANCISCO MARTO (June 11, 1908 – April 4, 1919) SAINT JACINTA MARTO (March 11, 1910 – February 20, 1920) FRANCISCO MARTO was born on June 11, 1908 to Manuel and Olimpia de Jesus Marto and was the older brother of Jacinta and the first cousin of Lucy dos Santos. He was nine years old at the time of the apparitions. During the appearances of the Angel and of the Blessed Virgin, he saw all, but, unlike his two companions, was not permitted to hear the words which were spoken. When, in the course of the first apparition, Lucy asked if Francisco would go to Heaven, Our Lady replied: "Yes, he will go there, but he will have to recite the Rosary many times." Knowing that he would soon be called to paradise, Francisco showed little interest in attending classes. Often, when arriving near the school, he would tell Lucy and Jacinta: "You go on. I am going to church to keep company with the hidden Jesus." Many contemporary witnesses affirm having received gifts of grace, after having asked Francisco to pray for them. "The Virgin Mary and God Himself are infinitely sad. It is up to us to console Them!" In October 1918, Francisco fell gravely ill. To his family members who assured him that he would survive his sickness, he responded firmly: "It is useless. Our Lady wants me with Her in Heaven!" In the course of his illness, he continued to offer constant sacrifices to console Jesus offended by so many sins. "Only a little time remains to me before going to Heaven," he told Lucy one day. "There above, I am going to console Our Lord and Our Lady a great deal; Jacinta is going to pray a great deal for sinners, for the Holy Father and for you. You are going to stay here because Our Lady wishes it. Listen, do everything She tells you." As his illness worsened and broke his formerly robust health, Francisco no longer had the strength to recite the Rosary. "Mamma, I can no longer say the rosary," he called in a loud voice one day, "it is like my head is among the clouds..." Even as his bodily strength declined, his mind remained fixed on the Eternal. Calling to his father, he begged to receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament (he had not yet received his first Holy Communion at this time). Preparing himself for confession, he urged Lucy and Jacinta to recount for him the sins which he had committed. Hearing of some mild pranks he had committed, Francisco began crying, saying, "I have confessed these sins, but I will confess them again. Perhaps it is because of these that Jesus is so sad. You both ask also that Jesus will pardon all my sins." His first (and also his last) Holy Communion followed in the tiny room in which he lay dying. No longer strong enough to pray, he asked Lucy and Jacinta to recite the Rosary in a loud voice so he could follow with his heart. Two days later, nearing his end, he exclaimed: "Look mamma, look, a light so beautiful, there near the door." Towards 10 o'clock in the evening, on April 4, 1919, after asking that all his offenses be pardoned, he died calmly, without any sign of suffering, without agony, his face shining with an angelic light. Describing the death of her young cousin in her Memoirs, Sister Lucy wrote: "He flew away to Heaven in the arms of our Heavenly Mother." JACINTA MARTO was born on March 11, 1910. At the time of the apparitions she was seven years old. She was the youngest of the seers. During the apparitions she saw and heard everything, but spoke neither to the Angel nor to the Mother of God. Intelligent and very sensitive, she remained profoundly impressed when she heard the Blessed Virgin declare that Jesus was much offended by sin. After seeing the vision of hell, she decided to offer herself completely for the salvation of souls. The night of the first appearance of Our Lady (May 13, 1917), it was Jacinta who, despite the promises she had made to Lucy, revealed the secret of the apparition to her mother: "Mamma, today I have seen the Madonna in the Cova da Iria. Oh, what a beautiful Lady!" Later, Heaven would further grace Jacinta with two powerful visions of the Holy Father: A Pope suffering for the persecutions made against the Church and also for the wars and destructions which convulsed the world. "Poor Holy Father," said Jacinta, "there is a great need to pray for him." From that time on, Christ's Vicar was always present in the prayers and sacrifices of all the seers, but especially Jacinta."If only I could place in the heart of everyone the fire which I have in my heart which makes me love the Heart of Mary so much!" To free souls from the fires of hell, Jacinta freely undertook sacrifices. In the fierce heat of the summer, she gave up drinking water. As a sacrifice to God's Glory, she offered her afternoon snacks to children even poorer than she. To save souls, she took upon herself the pain of wearing a rough piece of knottted rope next to her bare skin. She endured the exhausting interrogations and insults of disbelievers all without the smallest lament. "If only I could show hell to sinners!" she said, "how happy I would be if all could go to paradise." A year following the apparitions at the Cova da Iri, the illness which would carry her to death began. First came bronchial pneumonia, then an abscess on the lung, both of which made her suffer intensely. Yet from her hospital bed, she declared cheerfully that her sickness was just a new opportunity to suffer for the conversion of sinners. After two months in hospital, she returned home whereupon an open and ulcerous sore was shortly discovered on her chest. Soon thereafter she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Over the course of the next year, she suffered greviously for Our Lady. "Will Jesus be content with the offering of my sufferings?," she asked Lucy. In February of 1920, she was rushed to another hospital, this time in Lisbon. Wasting away to a virtual skeleton and dying without the presence of her beloved parents or Lucy, she consoled herself with the thought that this, too, was yet another chance to offer up her suffering for sinners. In the Lisbon hospital she was visited no less than three times by the Mother of God. Finally, on the night of 20th February 1920 the promise of the "Lady more brilliant than the sun" was accomplished. "I have come to take you with Me to Paradise." Like Francisco, Jacinta now lies buried in the great Basilica of Our Lady in Fatima. On May 13, 2000, Pope John Paul II beautified Francisco and Jacinta. Jacinta is the youngest non-martyred child ever to be beatified. Pope Francis canonized the young children on his visit to Fátima to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first apparition–May 13, 2017. The shrine of Our Lady of Fátima is visited by upto 20 million people a year. PATRONAGE: Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto are patron saints for bodily ills, Portuguese children, Captives, People ridiculed for their piety, Prisoners, Sick people, and against sickness. PRAYER TO SAINTS FRANCISCO AND JACINTA MARTO FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE WORLD! Dear Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta, the children of the world would like to learn from you how to love more perfectly. Saint Jacinta, teach us how to love one another, especially sinners. Help us to pray and to make sacrifices for those who offend Our Lord so deeply. Saint Francisco, teach us your great love for the Sacred Heart of JESUS in the Holy Eucharist, hurt by the ingratitude of so many. Little Shepherds of Fatima, help me, my family, and all the families of the world, to seek the safety of the Immaculate Heart of our Mother MARY, who always brings all of us and our families closer to Her Son JESUS. Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta, pray for us, pray for all the children and families of the world! Amen.
How did they get to be saints in such a short time? They suffered. Not only did they suffer they actually embraced suffering. Such a lesson. "Unless you take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of me " (Matthew 10:38)
I have such a special love for them. The sweetest sufferers ever!!! I will include them in my prayers especially today!
SAINT OF THE DAY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 SAINT PETER DAMIAN DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, CARDINAL-BISHOP (1007 - February 22, 1072) St. Peter Damian was born in Ravenna, Italy, around 1007. He was the youngest of many children in his family. Although they were noble, the family was poor, and Peter was orphaned at a young age. He was adopted by one of his older brothers, who treated him poorly, malnourishing him and forcing him to work as a swineherd. A few years later, another of his brothers, who was the archpriest at Ravenna, named Damianus took him out of the care of the other brother and sent him to be educated. Peter was grateful for Damianus' kindness and took Damianus as his second name. Peter excelled in his education, particularly in theology and canon law. By the age of 25, he was a famous teacher at the University of Parma and at Ravenna. After the school day was finished, Peter often invited students and poor people to his home for dinners that he served himself. He remembered what it felt like to be hungry. Already in those days, Peter was very strict with himself. He wore a hair shirt under his clothes, fasted rigorously and spent many hours in prayer. Soon, he decided to leave his teaching and give himself completely to prayer with the Benedictines of the reform of Saint Romuald at Fonte Avellana. Peter was so eager to pray and slept so little that he soon suffered from severe insomnia. He found he had to use some prudence in taking care of himself. When he was not praying, he studied the Bible. The abbot commanded that when he died Peter should succeed him. Abbot Peter founded five other hermitages. He encouraged his brothers in a life of prayer and solitude and wanted nothing more for himself. The Holy See periodically called on him, however, to be a peacemaker or troubleshooter, between two abbeys in dispute or a cleric or government official in some disagreement with Rome. Finally, Pope Stephen IX made Peter the cardinal-bishop of Ostia. He worked hard to wipe out simony (the buying of church offices), and encouraged his priests to observe celibacy and urged even the diocesan clergy to live together and maintain scheduled prayer and religious observance. He wished to restore primitive discipline among religious and priests, warning against needless travel, violations of poverty, and too comfortable living. He even wrote to the bishop of Besancon complaining that the canons there sat down when they were singing the psalms in the Divine Office. He wrote many letters. Some 170 are extant. We also have 53 of his sermons and seven lives, or biographies, that he wrote. He preferred examples and stories rather than theory in his writings. The liturgical offices he wrote are evidence of his talent as a stylist in Latin. Between 1049 and 1054, he composed the powerful book Liber Gomorrhianus, or “Book of Gomorrah”, addressing it to the new pope, Leo IX, who himself would eventually be canonized. Pope St. Leo IX praised St. Peter Damian's work and the monk became a key reformer, addressing widespread excesses and grave sins. In 1061, he helped resolve a dispute about the papacy. The antipope, Cadalous (Honorius II) laid claim to the papacy, but Peter attempted to convince him to withdraw his claim. Cadalous refused. When a council was summoned to Augsburg, a long statement by Peter Damian was read, which influenced the decision in favor of Alexander II. He asked often to be allowed to retire as cardinal-bishop of Ostia, and finally Pope Alexander II consented. Peter was happy to become once again just a monk, but he was still called to serve as a papal legate. When returning from such an assignment in Ravenna, he was overcome by a fever. With the monks gathered around him saying the Divine Office, he died on February 22, 1072. As a monk, a bishop, and a saint, Peter Damian lived one of the Benedictine Rules completely: “Do not prefer anything to the love of Christ.” Peter Damian was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XII in 1828. His feast day is February 21. His body is now located in a chapel dedicated to him in the cathedral of Faenza. PATRON: Faenza, Italy SYMBOLS: Cardinal bearing a discipline in his hand; pilgrim holding a papal Bull, to signify his many legations. PRAYER: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may so follow the teaching and example of the Bishop Saint Peter Damian, that, putting nothing before Christ and always ardent in the service of your Church, we may be led to the joys of eternal light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
